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It was a snowy day in December, despite Sumeru’s humid climate the Withering affecting Irminsul made the days colder, and eventually the rain turned to snow. Amidst the panic, the grand sages called the day off via the Akasha, advising people to stay at home for the day.
Alhaitham saw this and disregarded the memo, he lived close to the Akademiya and he preferred to do today’s work and not stress over catching up the next day, his peace and stability comes first.
What he didn’t anticipate was how unprepared he would be. The snow indicated it was below 0’C and he chose to wear a different outfit today, a comfy jacket designed for cold, windy days. Going to work was easy enough, he had a cup of camomile tea before leaving and packed some tea with him, hibiscus tea, his preference.
At work the few people there openly gawked at him, wondering why the hell the scribe was at work, only maintenance staff and the grand sages were there. Too nervous to ask though they quickly resumed their work when they were greeted with a glare, the scribe not tolerant enough for questions today.
He quickly finished work and proceeded to leave, there were few documents to revise and he wouldn’t be on a fixed schedule today anyway, he could leave. He briefly remembered that Kaveh was sleeping when he left and hoped that the fool wasn’t dumb enough to go outside, all of his outfits too ‘stylish’ for the cold.
While walking he checks his pocket and realizes that he took Kaveh’s keys again, a sincere mistake for once, so used to taking it as a joke that it had become a subconscious action, now he really hoped that Kaveh stayed home.
As he approached the house he realized that there was a figure near the front door, he couldn’t tell who it was but he instinctually began to hurry his pace, his voice of reason fading as he began to worry, something he would never admit easily. Upon reaching the door he saw a pitiful sight, his lover Kaveh curled up in front of the door. A bite of regret hit him as he could only waste a moment to ponder how long Kaveh had been out before opening the door and rushing inside.
“Oh god, oh god”
He allowed himself a moment of panic and worry before immediately taking a deep breath, he had to calm down and focus on Kaveh’s state, no time to cry, even if he really wanted to.
He put his hand on Kaveh’s face, then his arm, hand, chest, and legs. He was cold. So very cold. He isn’t a doctor, he can’t treat potential hypothermia, but he can try and warm him up. He carried a Kaveh up to their shared bed, covering him in blankets before rushing down and preparing a tea, hibiscus tea. It was the tea he had on hand.
Deciding he couldn’t wait for the tea to steep, he preferred to rush upstairs and lay down next to Kaveh. He was shy with physical contact but knew that his own body was the best source of heat, he was scared worried and filled with regret, it had always been a fun joke between them, they enjoyed teasing each other, and now look what happened, a cold bedridden Kaveh and an Alhaitham who could barely compose himself.
He fell asleep without realizing, having forgotten all about the damned tea, only worrying and dreaming about his lover.
“Haitham… Haitham… Love… darling… ALHAITHAM”
Oh god. Was that, Kaveh? With a slow turn of his head he saw that Kaveh was awake, a worried look on his face and before realising he lunged to hug Kaveh, whispering apologies in his ear as little tears began to spill out of his eyes.
"Haitham what's wrong? Why are you still in bed? And why is it so warm?"
"I'm sorry Kaveh I'm sorry, I- I hadn't realized that I took your keys again, I didn't mean to.. "
"Woah! Okay okay, what happened though, i'm still lost"
"Today is a snow day, due to Irminsul's condition it's been getting colder and it's snowing, a message via Akasha told us to stay home but I left anyway, and since you were sleeping you didn't know and then you went out in your absurd outfit and froze, I arrived home to see you curled in front of the door, and you were so cold!"
"Okay, so yeah I remember getting up and going outside only to realize I didn't have my keys, which apparently you took. I tried to go inside but I don't remember anything after.. did you carry me inside?"
Ah. Alhaitham blushed realizing he did carry Kaveh and doted over him like a mother hen…
"I did, I was just.. worried and I may have felt bad, I am sorry though, by the time I noticed I was on my way back to work."
"That makes sense, and don't worry about it, you can make mistakes too Haitham, you're not a robot.. and did you call my outfit absurd?! I will let you know that it's a very stylish and elegant piece, you truly don't understand beauty and aesthetic, it was also very expensive so don't treat it like an ordinary ensemble!!"
"I don't understand why you waste your time pondering "aesthetic", you look fine as is, and expensive ? Aren't you in debt? Are you telling me now that you'd rather waste your money on clothes than pay your 5 month delayed rent?"
Haha, he couldn't wait to see Kaveh's reaction.
"You truly don't understand beauty and romance. Good archons above enlighten this man! And about my rent… could you give me another week? I've almost collected the money!!"
"You don't intend to pay the rent next week but I'll let you get away with it"
"Not true!!!"
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"Is that hibiscus tea?"
"Yeah, I prepared it for you but it's long gone cold.."
"Why did you use hibiscus? You're so stingy with your tea"
"It was on hand, I was in a rush, are you hungry?"
"Okay, I'm starving to be honest.. is there anything in the fridge?"
"There's no leftovers, but I can make some soup if you'd like, or would you prefer Lambad's?"
"Didn't you say it was snowing? Lambad's is probably closed and I prefer your food anyway"
"Alright but you're helping me, go cut some onions."
"Sure! Are you okay though? You're oddly nice"
"Do you want me to bicker with you? To nag at how bad you are at cutting onions? I'm alright anyway"
"I'm not that bad at cutting onions! The stupid thing just keeps making me cry!! So rude…"
"I'm just being direct Kaveh"
"ALHAITHAM YOU'RE A DICK"
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They proceeded to bicker and watch a movie while eating dinner, bodies subconsciously close, leaning and holding hands, eventually hugging and falling asleep on the couch. Two happy little lovers.
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They watched Home Alone, Kaveh’s choice.